The Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has insisted he is "happy down on the south coast" after bookmakers made him the favourite to succeed Sam Allardyce at Newcastle.

Alan Shearer was the early favourite after Allardyce's shock departure yesterday but, when it was reported that Shearer wanted to continue in his Match of the Day pundit role, Redknapp emerged as the new front-runner.

However, Redknapp, responding to the speculation, today said: "I really do not know anything about this. I have not spoken to anyone from Newcastle. When I saw Sam had left my immediate thoughts were that Alan Shearer was a certainty to take over.

"There's nothing in my being linked with the job," he told The News in Portsmouth. "I had an offer not so long ago to take over at what I consider a massive club but I didn't go. I am happy down on the south coast."

Redknapp's response tallies with comments made by his brother-in-law Frank Lampard snr this morning. Lampard, who was Redknapp's assistant for seven years at West Ham, revealed he spoke to Redknapp last night following Allardyce's departure and confirmed no offer had been made to the Pompey boss.

"There's been no approach for him, as of last night," Lampard said. "I don't know if he would leave the south coast, to be fair. He's settled down there. He likes taking his dogs for a walk along the coast. But only time will tell, I suppose."

Redknapp has never managed further north than London and Lampard added: "Up north is a different kettle of fish. It'd be a big decision for him if he did." However, Lampard is in no doubt of Redknapp's credentials, adding: "Harry's a top manager and any job that comes up in the Premier League, Harry's being mentioned. Only a couple of months ago, he was in line for the England job. He was one of the frontrunners."